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PageText LTR048Independence Creek, Alaska June 20th, 99
Dear Bro.
Yours of Mar 13th Post Mark Circle, May 27th reached me 3 days ago. am well, glad to hear all is well at home, the reports you have are in the main correct. Oh no a usual Winter, its all O.K. there is a little stir at Haines Mission, we don't know how good so times are ok. east oh. yes Col. is a good Mineral Field. Well John a man can win or lose a fortune in a short time mining, same as any thing, but only a few get it in mines, its mostly slow & in this place very . Weather is fine never saw nicer in May & June, still cant work yet to advantage, have been at it 3 or 4 times on Mastadon and next creek & here, but a little to much frost yet. would loose your gold . Well we have our boxes made, our dam in. Creek turned a fine ditch, are now taking up our drain. (pause) or a ditch on a level to hit bed rock, see, when you work, we cover it over with poles & moss, same as a sewer, carry it a long all time in bed rock once we get it. to drain ground, we expect to start to shovel in about 1st July, cant tell yet how good, don't expect wages out it my Pard think $20.00 pr. day - but he owns the ground. Well $10.00 is the wages here, its to small unless a fellow could get something else to do between times, none make wages drifting winter time some come on in Debt. I will see whats on any way. I own 1/4 No. 14 & act accordingly. I wont be out this summer. May not for several yrs. I aint stuck on Punch a Drill. I am here & if any strikes made I stand my chance, no good onces since Dawson but - experience of course is good, especially after you find a mine, but a Fool or Idiot can or might find it. (so I should do well) well John your Pitt. Man is doing the Fool thing a Boat on Riv. is n.g. on yr. to get in. may be as others to slow no power. Wood 10.00 to 20.00 pr. cord, a pilot 10.00 a day. Companies got all good Pilots corralled, if get on Bar wont notice you, an outsider boat, will give a line for $1000.00 only . Well see cost of Trans, to St. Michael only, well then your on Riv. cant get up to where you want to or if you can, must fix up for Wint. fix for Boat or put back to one & leave party there, if you leave off 1 yrs. grub may only want 1 mo. or so supply, see cant carry back, may be cant sell lots small steamers for sale a Total failure. Last way. have $ in your pocket buy what & when & amt you want. Take the $ it will cost them & they can buy more Dust than they ever will take out. to big a party to gather in gold, cant all agree one wants to do this, the other that & so on. for this is a country that tries a mans grit. No Drones goes, men that were school boys, biz men, society men, etc, outsiders have quarrelled, quit, split up & will be life long enemies. John I have no desire to have any Fraternity put on me as I aint much use for any organization, the reason is this, all are not Gentlemen in no organized body & I dont want to be banded to any body I have to call Bro. when I know him to be a rascal see & they get in them all. no matter how carefull you are & you cant drop them till a Cause is given. I got no use for a man that carrries emblem as small or large as a dish pan & gets a soft job on it or any job a head of another who earns or deserves it. Your K of C may be good for you, or others, but what is it to me. now, I believe in organized labor but see its results. Cant keep mum. always talking to much & $ for some to throw off & to many wants to be Boss & are selfish, if space would permitt - Ive had some exp. tell Mother not worry for her Jim. He is all OK, in any Country. I am a hustler. Love to her & all. write soon,
Your Bro. James Circle City, Alaska

it wont be necessary
to reg. any more I think
but be sure enclose stamp

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